LEVI'S P.O.V.
"I said follow the fucking others, Monroe!" Levi yelled sternly as he ducked other another titan arm, slicing deep into its flesh and pushing off to another as it hit the floor. The situation was dire, even he could admit that. His blades were running low, as was his gas from having to dodge so many hands. The horde had multiplied, and Levi didn't know how many more he was going to be able to hold off.
"Respectfully sir! I'm declining your order!" She replied in a strained voice as she managed to slice a nape on her own. Levi would have been impressed if he wasn't so pissed off. She was endangering herself by being here.
"Monroe! Get your ass back-" He started but was cut off by a moaning titan as it made a grab for him and he used Dilan's evasion technique to drop to the ground, swinging up high onto a tree branch to gain some perspective. 10 titans, 2 blades left. The odds were not looking good. Levi dived again, about to shout to Monroe to get the hell out of here while he could still hold them back before a scream cut him off.
"AH!" She screeched as she swung out of the way of a titan and slammed into a tree. Levi cursed and grabbed her before a titan could, hoisting her over his shoulder and darting around for an escape. The titans were blocking the entrance to the end of the forest in the far distance, and Levi didn't have the gas to make it to one of the tree platforms, not with Monroe half passed out on his shoulder.
He grappled into a tree, looking around for a desperate escape, grey eyes narrowing in on a cave, slightly hidden by a fallen tree about 10 meters away. The titans were still moaning up at him, grabbing and growling. Levi knew he could get there, but they would definitely follow. He would have to drop Stacy off in the cave, lose the titans in the forest, come back round, fire a flare and hope they are found before a titan tracks them down.
Levi looked back at the light in the far distance before refocusing and jumping off the branch, soaring through the air like a bullet, dropping the last few meters to run to the cave. He jumped over the tree, pushed Stacy into the safety of the cave, flying straight upwards as an abnormal lunged for him mouth first. Levi grimaced at his large following. This was going to be difficult.
Nearly 30 minutes later and Levi had proven that losing a horde of titans may be the most difficult task to date. When he finally lost one, another one joined its place. It was an agitating circle that wore him out to no end, especially since he couldn't risk bringing one back to Stacy.
Dilan may have been right about her. She was arrogant and took on more than she could handle. Levi would be giving her an intense scolding if they both made it out of this. In fact, he might have to consider removing her. He needed subordination in his ranks. Hell, even the stubborn brat followed his orders. If that didn't say something about Stacy, then what would?
Still, Levi did manage to pull it off, he stumbled into the cave, breathing heavily with exhaustion but managing to stay upright. He scanned the cave for Stacy as he got his breathing under control and found her in the corner. His frown was immediate, and he opened his mouth to give the girl the scolding of her life, but a tear dripped down her face and Levi lost all his words.
"I-I'm sorry, sir." She mumbled, hiding her face in shame.
Levi sighed, raking a hand through his hair. She was just a kid, he had to remind himself.
"I-I-I'm a failure! You should l-leave me h-here to die for insubordination!" She cried, sobs escaping her mouth. Levi cringed internally, unsure of what to do. He wished Dilan was here.
"Calm down and stop crying." He elected to say, bluntly, taking off his harness which was now just a dead weight. He had been running on fumes and ran the last mile. Stacy sniffed and composed herself a bit. Levi crouched down in front of her. "Oi, where are you hurt?" Levi asked. Stacy lifted her head up a bit and Levi could see some blood trickling down the side. He tried hard not to grimace and passed her his clean white cloth, to which she mumbled a 'thank you' before he stood up and walked over to the outside. Peeling back some branches from the fallen tree, Levi frowned as he saw the rain pouring down from the grey sky. "Just my luck." He muttered under his breath.
Of course, they would run into a storm.
Levi went for his flare, sighing as he realised, he had left all his belongings on his horse. He turned to the girl.
"Monroe, you got a flare?" He asked. Stacy blinked at him for a second before her eyes lit up in understanding and she grabbed at the bag she had hanging around her torso for some reason, picking out a flare and passing it to Levi. Levi switched it to the emergency signal and stepped further outside to fire it into the air. He looked up at the colourful smoke for a second before coming back in and sitting down on the floor, trying to ignore the dirt.
"N-now what?" Stacy asked quietly, hugging her knees. Levi sighed, raking a hand through his hair.
"Now, we wait. Can't do much else." He shrugged, draping an arm over his knee. He listened to the pitter patter of the rain and couldn't help the longing to be with a certain orange eyed brat right now. She always made bleak situations so hopeful. Levi didn't want to scare the kid, but it was likely they were both going to die. The formation should be far away right now. What kind of idiot would ride back into the forest to locate one emergency flare?
"Captain?" Stacy whispered and he looked at her. "Are you mad at me?" She asked with fearful eyes. Levi rolled his eyes. Was he really that scary?
"I'm not impressed, I'll give you that. What you did was reckless, stupid and insubordinate." He said honestly and Stacy winced a bit at his harsh words. "But you showed some initiative. While stupid, it was brave of you to stay behind. Kind of remind me of someone." Levi mumbled the last part, thinking of a certain suicidal maniac. Stacy's face brightened. "That doesn't mean you aren't getting a huge ass lecture and cleaning duties for the rest of the year when we get back." Levi added in a stern tone and Stacy pouted.
"Aw." She mumbled, looking down. Levi shook his head and looked back out at the rain. He blinked, feeling annoyingly tired. He had used all his adrenaline to escape those titans and he was feeling the fatigue kick in. "Here." Stacy snapped him out of his thoughts, and he turned to see her holding out a water canister.
Levi raised an eyebrow at it.
"You look exhausted, sir. You need your strength if we are both going to make it out alive. And don't worry, I haven't drunk out of it yet." She added. Levi frowned slightly. "I promise! We're all aware of your tendency-" Stacy started but a sharp glared made her tweak her phrasing. "-to be right about hygiene." She corrected with a cheeky grin.
Levi gave her a look and she sighed.
"Look, sir. I am really thirsty, and I would like some water, but I haven't drunk any yet and you look like you're about to pass out!" She said in exasperation.
Levi glared at her for a few seconds more and she started to sweat before Levi relented, taking the water. Truth was, he did feel faint. Hydrating himself would probably be a start at getting over the fatigue.
"Thanks." Levi offered, taking a few sips of the water. He didn't want to be greedy considering they should probably ration the supply. They didn't know how long they were going to be here. He sighed silently, pleased that the water had quenched his thirst and passed the water back to Stacy.
They sat in silence for a bit before Stacy started looking really on edge. She was pale, shaky and her eyes were tearing up. Levi felt kind of bad for her so he decided he would try and take her mind off of things for the moment.
"Dilan told me you're from the underground." He mentioned in a softer voice. Stacy blinked up at him.
"Y-yes sir." She replied. Levi nodded.
"So was I, you know?" He replied, expected a bit of shock but he didn't get as much as he thought he would. "Not surprising, huh?" Stacy seemed to realise her behaviour was odd as she scrambled to explained herself.
"W-well I can kind of tell. I-it's in your eyes... like Dilan's." She defended. Levi supposed that explanation was acceptable. It was indeed in the eyes of most who had been down there. Those who had seen hell always wore it on their face.
"Shitty that your father did that to you." He empathised. He had a similarly cruel guardian. Stacy smiled a bit.
"I suppose." She replied, looking strangely guilty. Levi guessed she was thinking about her past but he didn't intend to pry.
"Well you have my respect for sticking with your beliefs. God knows it would have been the easier choice to sit with the shitty nobles and have a sheltered life in Sina." He mumbled the last part. Stacy looked shocked.
"T-thank you, sir. That means a lot." She said genuinely. Levi nodded, pleased she wasn't panicking anymore.
A bit more time went by and Levi swallowed, feeling a tightness in his throat. He ignored it, wiping his forehead as a bead of sweat trickled down. Why did he feel so dizzy? The world was spinning. Levi blinked forcefully trying to focus his vision. He took a shaky breath and rubbed his face as his throat got a bit tighter and it felt like someone was dripping acid into his lungs and stomach.
"A-are you okay sir?" Levi heard Stacy ask, although her voice was far away. He took a breath and kept his heavy eyelids open, grabbing the flare gun.
"I should-" He coughed to clear his hoarse voice. "I'll fire the flare again." He mumbled, managing to work his limbs he stood up and went to take a step before the world blacked out slightly and he fell backwards, hitting the hard floor. "What..." He said, confused. His breathing was laboured, his lungs felt like there was a handful of coins rattling around in there.
What the hell was happening to him?
With much effort, Levi cracked open his eyes glancing at Stacy who was still huddled up in the corner looking at her feet. His eyes narrowed in on the water bottle by her side. The one she insisted he drank from, the one she never drank from herself.
Shit.
"You fucking poisoned me?" Levi rasped in disbelief. Why? Why would she do such a thing? Stacy sniffed.
"I-I want you to know it isn't... it isn't personal. I really liked you, Captain. You're a strong, fair leader and-and you taught me so much. I wish it wasn't like this, I really do. B-but I have no choice..." She sniffed again, wiping her teary blue eyes.
Levi swallowed hard, using all the strength he had left to push himself up against the cave wall. He felt pale and shaky. He felt... weak. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Not since he was a hopeless little kid sitting in the same room as his mother's corpse, slowly starving to death.
Levi breathed out shakily, trying not to let the pain consume him. It felt like his insides were burning. So, she planned this? She planned to get separated, she planned to get him alone. Stacy was amazing with the gear; she would never slam into a tree like that. It was a rookie mistake.
"Why?" He managed a hoarse whisper. Stacy looked up at him, guilt in her eyes.
"I-I'm sorry, he made me. At first it was just a job like any other, a job to get on the surface..." Stacy ranted, and Levi's eyes widened slightly. He'd been there. "But you were all so god damn nice. You-you all accepted me, and I betrayed you!" She cried. "I didn't want to... please believe me." She whispered, rocking back and forth. The girl looked like she was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"Who?" Levi demanded, wanting to know who killed him. Who went through such effort? Stacy shivered slightly.
"K-Kenny." She whispered and Levi sighed. He should have known. Kenny wouldn't allow himself to be ordered around, he wouldn't allow himself to lose. Especially after he, no doubt, found out the military was still in possession of the ledger. They had given it to the MPs who had made a number of arrests in the underground since. Kenny was a sucker for revenge.
Levi's heart jumped when a horrible thought came into his head.
"D-Dilan... you're not..." He found it hard to get the words out. Stacy's eyes widened when she understood what he was asking.
"No. The kill order was just for you." She reassured. Levi sighed in relief, leaning his head back and trying to keep breathing. He didn't want to die yet. Not without seeing her one last time. He'd been so horrible to her recently. The last time they talked he was such an asshole.
"Why did you stop me!?" She yelled at him, obviously hurt.
"His sacrifice was necessary in order to capture the titan." Levi said simply, crossing his arms. Dilan looked at him with disgust.
"No life lost to those beasts is necessary. The Levi I used to know agreed with me on that." She shot back, not sparing him a second glance before turning on her heel back to her horse.
He knew how much resisting herself from saving that boy would have hurt her, but he gave the order for her to anyway. Instead of comforting her like he wanted to, he spat some stupid thing about sacrifice.
She looked at him with such disappointment, like he wasn't the same person anymore. Maybe it was true. Maybe he wasn't.
Still, he was selfish. He didn't want that to be the last memory she had of him. He wanted to make her smile, laugh, he wanted her to call him stupid and punch him on the arm like she always does when she got embarrassed. He wanted one more moment. He wanted to see her amazing eyes one more time.
"Fuck." Levi muttered under his breath, wincing, he breathed through the pain. He wondered how long before he would die. Stacy seemed to sense the unanswered question.
"5 hours. It will take the poison five hours to kill you. Kenny said I had to use it on you because it would be excruciating." Stacy said in an emotionless voice, staring at the floor with dull eyes. The kid looked like she'd cracked. Levi let out a low breathy chuckle.
"Sounds like him. The bastard." He mumbled, swallowing down the dryness. In all honesty he was grateful for the hours. Gave him more time to think about a certain someone before the end. Even if it was agonising going over his mistakes, it was pleasant to go over his nice memories with Dilan.
"I love you, Levi." Dilan said quietly but genuinely.
Levi closed his eyes, feeling oddly at peace. While she didn't mean it like he did, she did love him. The thought brought a warmness in his chest that seemed to combat all the searing pain.
"I forgive you, kid." Levi mumbled, cracking his grey eyes open to look at her. Stacy stared at him in shock. "When the legion finds us... or you... explain what happened. E-explain you were forced." Levi swallowed, trying to keep the pain out of his voice. "T-tell them you meant no... ill will, you were simply desperate. You could be an exceptional soldier one day. I'm s-sure Erwin will understand." Levi explained, clenching his fists together and crossing his arms to stop his hands from shaking.
Fuck, this kills. Kenny you really are one hateful bastard.
Stacy balked at him, tears rolling down from her unblinking eyes, her mouth slightly agape. Levi grimaced.
"Wipe your face, idiot. It's disgusting." He scolded and Stacy cracked a smile.
"You really are a clean freak, you know that?" She chuckled. Levi managed a half ass glare, before sighing.
"Yeah... I really am." He admitted, something he had never been able to do out loud before. It was obvious he had a problem with hygiene. Hanji diagnosed him with OCD, but he denied it. Guess death puts things into perspective. Stacy choked on a sob, putting a hand over her mouth.
"C-captain... what did I do?" She gasped, realisation probably setting in. Levi sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"You survived." He stated. "I d-don't blame you for wanting to. Make sure this... wasn't in vain though. If... my death means your life, do something meaningful with it." He said weakly, feeling as though he was going to end up passing out from the pain soon. Stacy sniffed, nodding vigorously. Levi nodded in approval, closing his eyes he pictured those orange ones one last time.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
Levi snapped his eyes open at the loud noise, blinking as Stacy had taken the flare gun and shot the emergency flare several times.
"Monroe?" He questioned tiredly. She shot the gun a few more times, switching to different colours when she ran out of emergency flares. "The fuck... are you doing?" Levi whispered as a new surge of pain hit him. "Shit." He gasped and Stacy ran over to him.
"Hold on, please. You can't die. Not today." She said firmly, tightening her gear. Levi looked at her with confusion. His brain was being a little slow right now.
"What're you..." He mumbled as Stacy went for the cave entrance.
"I have a some gas left. I'm going to get help. Hang on, okay?" She begged and Levi's eyes widened as realisation hit him over the back of the head.
"Stacy, don't..." He tried to order. Stacy simply smiled at him before leaving the cave. Somehow it felt even worse without his killer in the room watching him die. Levi leant his head on his knees and tried to control the pain. He wished the brat was here.
DILAN'S P.O.V.
Dilan gasped when she saw the first emergency flare. Erwin had convinced them all to move, that the others would catch them up shortly. The commander argued that the pair were buying them time, so the horde didn't catch them and by waiting Dilan was making it so that they were endangering their lives for nothing.
Dilan had wanted to smack him but Hanji reasoned that the commander was right, and that Levi would be fine. That he would be back soon. Dilan couldn't ignore the annoying clawing in her gut, but she went along like a proper soldier. Levi was always telling her to follow orders, wasn't he?
However, as soon as the purple smoke of an emergency help flare went off, Dilan could hold back her panic no longer.
"Eld take command." Dilan ordered, about to turn around to gallop back to the forest which was a good 20-minute ride away from them now but again, her superior stopped her.
"Dilan. We need you here, protecting the cart. We've suffered heavy casualties today; I will not let them be in vain." He said sternly and Dilan scoffed.
"You mean you need the benefit to way out the cost, so you don't get your ass chewed out by the royal government." She spat and Erwin raised an eyebrow, pursing his lips.
"In a way... yes." He admitted. Dilan shook her head in disbelief. They were all pieces on a chess board to him. His choice to move and manipulate how he wanted.
"And what about Levi? Is your precious strongest worth a stupid titan?!" She hissed and Erwin glared at her to back down.
"We will continue on as planned. I'm sure Levi is fine, and we need you here. This is a direct order, team leader." He said firmly before starting to ride off.
Dilan squirmed in decision. This was always her problem wasn't it? To fight the stream or go with the flow. Had she ever regretted it? Defying orders? The first time, she saved Tabitha, then Hanji, then those kids. She helped defend the front line. Going against the flow almost always caused her grief and a tight scolding but she had never... regretted it. When she had a gut feeling she went with it. That was what made her Dilan and she didn't ever want to lose that. If she wasn't herself, she may as well go and die right now.
"No." She replied sternly, and Erwin stopped his horse to look back at her. The squad and Hanji looked too. Erwin frowned.
"No?" He asked. Dilan glared at him.
"No. Someone out there is in trouble, Levi or not. There are enough bloody soldiers here to defend a stupid cart. I have a feeling and when I have a feeling, I stick to it. You can shove that order up your ass. Scold me all you want when we get back to headquarters, I'm not a pawn in your game. I make my own decisions." She growled, stunning the whole group including Erwin himself before she turned her horse, rearing and galloping full speed towards the forest. I'm coming, dumbass.
She was about five minutes from the tree line when she saw multiple flares firing for help, varying in colour and making a big fucking mess in the sky. Considering Levi was not back in the twenty minutes it took to ride here, Dilan couldn't deny she was anxious. It had started raining a while ago and she was properly soaked. Maybe they were fine. Maybe they were just hiding out until the storm passed. As soon as she was within grappling range, Dilan flew off of her horse and into the trees, flying around in search of her friend and subordinate.
"Levi!? Stacy!?" She called, fearing the worse. Where, the hell, were they?
"DILAN!?" Dilan heard Stacy scream and she gasped, flinging herself towards the sound of the voice. She saw Stacy on the floor, tears on her face and her stomach dropped but she remained calm. Dilan dropped to the floor and grabbed Stacy by her shoulders looking her up and down.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" She asked urgently. Stacy sniffed and shook her head. "Where's Levi?" She asked, swallowing at her own question.
"I-I did something Dilan. I did something bad." She cried. Dilan frowned, not liking the sound of this. "D-Dil, I was sent here to kill him. By Kenny Ackermann. I lied." She admitted quietly, straining her voice to speak. Dilan's eyes went wide and she let go of the child, taking a step back.
"What did you do?" She asked in shock. Stacy bit her lip and looked away. Dilan's anger hit her full force and she shoved Stacy into a tree. "WHAT DID YOU DO? WHERE, THE FUCK, IS HE!?" Dilan yelled and Stacy whimpered.
"I-In the cave." Stacy sniffed, pointing in a direction. Dilan could see a small cave entrance in the distance covered by the tree and let go of Stacy to immediately fly towards it, jumping down and sliding over the tree branch.
She gasped when she saw him, passed out against the cave wall. He was as pale as a ghost and shakes racked his body. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and he looked like he was in complete agony. Quickly getting over her shock, Dilan knelt down, trying to calm her beating heart as she felt for the man's pulse. It was erratic but it was there.
"Levi." Dilan blinked back the tears at seeing him like this, putting her hands on the side of his boiling face. "Levi, please. I'm here now, wake up." She begged, gently brushing back his sweaty hair. Her heart jumped as two steel grey eyes cracked open slightly. Dilan's heart lurched at how much pain was in them.
"Brat... is it... really you?" He mumbled weakly reaching out. Dilan took his hands firmly in hers, squeezing to show she was here. She smiled reassuringly, trying hard not to cry.
"I'm here, grumps. Everything's okay now, we'll get you to Hanji, she'll fix you. Can you stand?" Dilan asked softly, checking his temperature. The man was burning up. Levi sighed, clenching his jaw at the pain and leaning his head back.
"No." he admitted, and Dilan's stomach dropped. Shit.
"What happened to you?" She asked, grabbing a cloth from his pocket and wiping his forehead of the sweat. Levi frowned slightly.
"I was kinda poisoned." He admitted casually and Dilan pushed away her anger for the minute, choosing to comfort her friend who was back to himself. All it took was a light murder attempt.
"Dumbass. How many times have you accused me of trying to poison you, huh? Next time put your scepticism to good use." She shot back and Levi cracked a smile. A tired smile but a smile nonetheless and it warmed her heart.
"Even when I'm dying you don't ever cut me any slack, brat." He pointed out and Dilan smirked.
"Course." She agreed, standing up she walked over to the canister on the floor and looked to Levi. He nodded in confirmation, shivering a bit and breathing shakily. Dilan took off her wet cloak before removing her jacket that was warm and dry and exactly what he needed right now. Dilan put it round his shoulders, tightening the cloak around him too. "I'll be back soon okay, I promise." She said seriously and Levi's eyes snapped open in fear.
"Don't leave." He choked out and Dilan felt a deep pain in her chest. She smiled anyway, taking his hands.
"I'm coming back really soon. I just need to get the others since you can't stand." She reminded gently, sensing his fragile state. Levi shook his head slightly.
"Dil, I'm dead." He said shakily and Dilan swallowed.
"No, no you're not." She argued back, tears growing in her eyes.
"I have 4 hours. It'll take that long to get back to the corps as it is. Four eyes would have to identify the poison and find an antidote..." Levi shook his head again. "It's not going to happen. I-I'm dead." He repeated. Dilan's face contorted in disbelief as the tears finally streaked down her face.
"N-no. You can't die! You're my best friend. Y-you promised me, you can't die!" She protested, growing hysteric. Levi smiled weakly, opening his arms for a hug that Dilan didn't hesitate to accept, holding onto him tightly.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for a lot of things. I-I'm sorry I've been such a fucking jerk recently." Levi's voice cracked a bit in the strain of keeping the pain out of his voice. Dilan choked back a sob.
"Don't be sorry. You came back to me, you came back but now you have to stay. I can't fucking live without you." Dilan cried and Levi's arms tightened around her.
"Don't say that brat... please. You have to live; I want you to live." He pleaded. Dilan stayed quiet. "Promise me you'll live." He said shakily. Dilan felt warm tears sliding down her neck that weren't her own. "Please." He begged. Dilan pulled back to look at him, seeing how much he desperately needed to hear those words. Dilan wiped the tears off his face, deciding to agree. She didn't have to follow along later but if it would help Levi's peace of mind now then she would do it gladly.
"I promise." She agreed and Levi sighed in relief, leaning into the hand that was cupping his cheek. He was unnaturally warm, but Dilan decided not to bring it up.
His face twisted in pain and he doubled over, coughing up some blood on the stone floor. Dilan rubbed his back as he choked, trying to keep it together for him. It physically hurt her to see him like this. He was normally so strong, so unbreakable. But Dilan knew, better than most, Levi was just a man.
Men can fall.
"Y-you should go... I don't want you to see me die." He mumbled after catching his breath. Dilan rolled her eyes, forcing a smile.
"Shut up, stupid. Stop wasting your voice saying such dumb things. I'm going to stay here with you until help comes." She said sternly. "Lay down, you'll feel better." She suggested gently, tugging lightly on Levi's arm and he complied. Dilan sat down, Levi's head resting on her lap as he laid down more comfortably and Dilan noticed his breathing evened out a bit. She picked up the jacket that had fallen off his shoulders at the movement and draped it over him. Dilan used one of her hands to hold his tightly, the other gently combing through his hair in an affectionate way that made him smile a bit as he closed his eyes. "I won't deny I'm pissed." Dilan said suddenly and Levi blinked up at her.
"Pissed?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Dilan smirked down at him.
"Yep. Who the hell other than you is crazy enough to help me with my death pact?" She pointed out and Levi chuckled.
"Hanji." He said in a deadpan voice and Dilan laughed loudly at that, the sound echoing off the walls of the cave. Levi simply smiled happily, and Dilan was glad to see him acting like himself.
"Probably right." She mused. "Are you scared?" Dilan asked softly after a moment of peaceful silence. Levi hummed in thought.
"A little, I guess. Death seems pretty dull in my opinion." He replied simply and Dilan chuckled. What a Levi thing to say. "But it's less scary now you're here brat." He admitted tiredly. Dilan smiled at that, a tear rolling down her face.
"Good... I-I shouldn't have left you." She whispered the last part, guilt twisting in her stomach. Levi squeezed her hand, looking up at her with those kind grey orbs that he only ever showed to her.
"Don't, brat. Don't feel bad about this... It's Kenny's fault." Levi reminded and Dilan frowned at the mention.
"I'm going to kill him." She said venomously and Levi chuckled.
"I know you'd like to, idiot, but you'll have a lot on your plate soon." Levi pointed out and Dilan blinked at him.
"Like what?" She asked and Levi rolled his eyes, flicking her on the wrist. "Ow!" Levi smirked before lacing his hand with hers again.
"When I'm gone, you'll be Captain. Second in command does mean something. Ever get that round your thick head, brat." He sniggered when Dilan's eyes widened in shock. Sure, she knew she would have to take charge when Levi wasn't around but that wasn't supposed to happen often. And it certainly wasn't supposed to happen permanently. Levi wasn't supposed to die. Not for a long time. The thought brought more tears to her eyes. "Hey, don't cry, Dil. It's okay." He comforted as Dilan wiped her teary eyes.
"But it's not." She choked out. Levi sighed.
"Nah, it's pretty shit. But your strong, you'll get through it." Levi said firmly. Dilan swallowed down a sob as the emotion swelled in her throat.
"W-who will I talk to? Who will I watch the sky with? Who will I yell at? Who will I argue with? W-who will be my best friend?" She asked shakily. Levi smiled sadly.
"You'll find a new best friend." He offered as Dilan wiped her eyes again.
"I don't want someone else; I want you." She mumbled. Levi rolled his eyes playfully.
"Such a brat. We don't always get what we want. As for who you'll yell and argue with, you're a pretty confrontational person. I'm sure you'll find someone." Levi teased and Dilan laughed a bit and sobbed a bit, giving him a half assed glare.
"Ass." He shot back and Levi smirked a bit before another wave of pain hit him and he muttered a curse, closing his eyes tight and trying to breath through it. Dilan held him close, stroking his hair and whispering quiet reassurances that she was here for him and he wasn't alone.
"Fuck, It h-hurts." Levi stuttered out quietly and Dilan felt like her heart was breaking but she didn't crack. She could crack later when Levi didn't need her anymore.
"I know. Is there anything I can do?" She asked gently, holding his hands and leaning her forehead against his. Levi breathed out shakily and calmed down a bit.
LEVI'S P.O.V.
Levi's breathing evened out as Dilan lent her much cooler forehead against his own, soothing a delicious burning that seemed to flow around his whole body. He hated that she was seeing him like this, seeing him so weak. But on the other hand, he couldn't be more grateful that she was here. She was here with him. He wasn't alone. He had the brat, his brat. She was going to stay with him until the end. He was going to go out in the arms of the woman he loved. While he was slightly pissed his time had come so soon, he couldn't think of a better way to go really.
Dilan pulled away a bit to smiled and stroke the side of his face. Levi couldn't help but smile back, mesmerised by her. She was so beautiful; he could think of nothing else. Not the pain, not the inevitable end. Just her.
"So? I'll do anything you like?" She offered and Levi's perverted mind went straight to asking her for a kiss. He swiftly dismissed the thought before he ended up blushing. His heart was already pounding whether from the poison or the fact that Dilan was so close, he didn't know.
"I don't mind. Distract me." He said simply. Dilan nodded, humming in thought while continuing to comb through his hair softly in a way that Levi found himself loving too much. Her touch was addictive and he didn't want it to stop. Dilan smiled when she thought of something.
"Des yuex qui front baisser les miens,
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche-
Violá le portrait sans retouche
De I'homme auquel j'appartiens.
Quand il me prend dans ses bras,
Il me parle tout bas,
Je vois la vie en rose..."
She sang softly in a beautiful voice. Levi closed his eyes leaning his head into her touch and enjoying her amazing singing that distracted him from the pain. Dilan finished the words and continued to hum the tune, bringing the jacket she draped over him further up and rubbing his icy hands gently in an attempt to heat them up. Levi smiled subconsciously. He couldn't even scold himself for loving her at this point. She was too amazing.
Levi looked up at her with confliction. Should he tell her? He didn't want to have any regrets before he died. Not telling her how he feels is certainly a regret of his, among other things that he didn't want to think about right now. But would it be cruel? If by some miracle Dilan actually liked him back, it would be cruel to confess and then die straight after wouldn't it? But Dilan's not like that. She doesn't like him like that. Surely, she wouldn't hate him if he confessed. It would certainly get a huge weight off of his chest. Dilan could grant him that one last wish, right?
Better do it fast. He could feel his consciousness slipping away from him as the pain increased. His tolerance of agony was high but even he had his limits.
"Brat?" Levi whispered. Dilan smiled, looking down at him.
"Yep?" She asked. Levi looked into those amazing orange eyes and took a deep breath. Here goes. Now or never. Literally.
"Dilan, I-"
"LEVI! DILAN!" A shrill voice interrupted him and they both snapped their heads towards the cave entrance.
"Hanji?" They both said in unison. She called for them again and Dilan gasped, helping Levi up and going to the exit.
"HANJI!" Dilan yelled back and Levi heard a yell of confirmation. Dilan looked back at him with a hopeful smile. Levi managed a weak smile back before he fell deeply unconscious.
DILAN'S P.O.V.
"Shit." She cursed and bolted over to him as Levi passed out, checking his pulse with shaky hands. It was there, thank god. He was still alive. "HANJI HURRY THE FUCK UP!" She cried, feeling like her heart was breaking.
"WE'RE COMING!"
"Just hang on, Levi. For me, okay? I promise everything will be okay soon. I promise." She whispered, hugging him tightly and trying to calm down before she got hysterical. A gasp made her turn her head and she saw Hanji enter the cave. Dilan looked up at her with teary eyes. "H-he was poisoned, Hanji." Dilan bit her lip to muffle a sob. Hanji took a breath, getting her head on straight.
"I know, Dil. We'll fix him. It'll be okay." She reassured, calling in some men they took Levi from her and she had to stop herself from hanging onto him.
Dilan grabbed the canister of water and Levi's 3DMG with Hanji's help before exiting the cave and climbing onto the medical cart that they had put Levi on. She folded her brown jacket and lifted Levi's head slightly to slot it under, so he was more comfortable, taking his hand. Hanji jumped onto the cart too and gave the order for them to move.
"How did you know we were here?" Dilan asked, wiping her face with the back of her hand while Hanji checked their friend out. Hanji didn't answer and Dilan was about to ask again before Stacy landed in the cart and Dilan's eyes widened in pure hatred. "YOU FUCKING BITCH!" She yelled, swiping the girls legs and slamming her into the cart by her throat. Stacy gasped and squirmed.
"I-I'm... sorry..." She wheezed, tears collecting in her eyes.
"Sorry doesn't make him better! How the hell could you do this to him?! To us?! We were a family, we trusted you!" Dilan spat in disgust and Stacy cried.
"Dilan, stop." Hanji said firmly, taking off her own brown jacket to tuck around Levi's shoulders. He was still shaking but it helped a bit. Dilan gave the brunet an exasperated look. "What she did was fucking despicable and won't go unpunished, but she did retrieve us. Plus, with Levi in this state, she could have killed him easily. She's trying to make things right." Hanji explained, checking Levi's temperature. Dilan hesitated but let go and the girl sucked in a large breath, spluttering and coughing while she held her red throat. Dilan grimaced, feeling no pity whatsoever.
"Don't think I forgive you; I will never forgive you for this. I'd take delight in killing you but prisons worse than death and you deserve ever second of it." Dilan said in a dangerous voice and Stacy looked at her in shock.
Guess she was starting to realise Dilan had two sides. You were either her friend or you weren't. You didn't want to be her enemy. Dilan didn't spare her a second glance before turning back to Levi and Hanji.
"How is he?" Dilan asked in a softer tone, taking one of his hands. Hanji sighed, picking up the poisoned canister.
"Not good. The poison in here could help me find an antidote but I need my lab. I'm not sure we have the time. Unless..." Hanji turned to Stacy who was huddled up in the corner looking at the floor with wide eyes. "Monroe, do you know what the poison is?" She asked hopefully. Stacy swallowed, clearing her painful throat. Again, Dilan felt nothing. She deserved it and more.
"No." She admitted, and Dilan's heart dropped. Shit. Shit. Shit. "But I have the ingredients for an antidote." She continued, making a grab for her bag. Dilan and Hanji shared a sceptical look before Hanji nodded so Dilan pinned the girl to the cart with her foot, making her gasp in surprise. "What're you..." She coughed but Dilan took no notice.
"Shut up." She ordered, retrieving the bag from her person before passing it to Hanji and letting go. They couldn't trust her not to have a weapon. They couldn't trust anything she says. "Now listen up and answer my questions exactly." Dilan ordered in a stern voice; eyes narrowed dangerously. Stacy paled and nodded quickly. "Why the fuck would you have an antidote to the poison? And if you had why haven't you fucking given it to him yet if you were really regretting your decision? How are we supposed to trust your word? What if this makes him worse!?" Dilan growled the last part and Stacy flinched while Hanji continued to look through the bag, deep in thought.
"W-well, Kenny gave me the antidote s-so I could cure myself if I needed to drink from the canister to convince him it was safe. I-I didn't give it to him because I was scared, I could mess it up and hurt him more. And you can trust my word because I had contingencies to get out. It would have been easy to pull up my hood, disappear with the formation and get back to the wall where I had people waiting there for me to help me disappear. I want to fix what I've done; I want to atone for my sins." She explained calmly, wiping her eyes. Dilan frowned looking at Hanji for confirmation.
"Well there is an antidote for a specific type of deadly poison in here. Doesn't mean it matches up to the one Levi was given. If they don't match this could very well, make him worse." Hanji explained, eyeing Stacy with caution.
"It does match, I promise." She tried but Dilan scoffed.
"Your promises mean nothing. Besides, it's likely Kenny was just using you and planned to screw you over. No one is waiting for you by the wall." Dilan said bluntly and Stacy shook her head.
"N-no. Kenny wouldn't do that to me." She protested weakly and Dilan glared at her.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" She asked sarcastically and Stacy looked at her feet.
"B-Because he's my father." She admitted quietly and a stunned silence followed before Dilan snapped out of it.
"Bullshit." She spat although her mind was doubting it. They shared certain characteristics. Fine raven black hair. Pale skin, sharp jawline. The only thing that was off were her eyes. "You said you came from Sina. That your father was a Nobel." She argued and Stacy sighed.
"It was a lie. All of it. A sob story to get you to trust me." She admitted and Dilan scrunched up her nose in hatred but let her continue. "Some was true. I have been through hardships. The truth is I was born in the underground. Kenny knocked up a random whore that turned out to be my mother. She died when I was 10 and I started doing jobs to pay for my way. I stumbled upon Kenny and he told me I looked familiar. I told him to fuck off, but he persisted and eventually I told him my mother's name. It clicked into place and that was the end of my freedom. I was locked up in a safe house, like I told you. Kenny cared for me but not in the normal way. He was mean and harsh." She explained.
Stacy took a shuddering breath.
"He trained me and I got a few scars from that training, including the one on my head that he gave me specifically to get added sympathy. Whenever I asked what I was training for since he never let me leave the house, he simply told me to wait. Few years later and he told me it was time. I would be infuriating the military and I had to keep tabs on a man named Levi. It took three years to get past the training corps, but I got in. it was around the that time that I was given the order to get close and kill him, so I started planning. Tried out for the squad and got accepted, I was delivered the poison and the antidote with strict instructions for my first expedition. Here we are." Stacy explained in an emotionless voice and Dilan had to swallow down the comforting words that threatened to come out of her mouth, observing the pain on her face. She had known her for a long time now... or had she. Was this a lie too?
She tried to kill Levi.
"That's why you think he's waiting for you. Because he's your father?" Hanji asked. Stacy nodded.
"He may be unconventional, but he does care about me. He could have sent one of his other assassins, but he sent me because he wanted me to get out and have a life on the surface. He said he was going to free me after this. Freedoms all I've ever wanted." She muttered the last part. Dilan's eyes softened slightly. Don't they all want freedom? Isn't that why everyone's out here, fighting these monsters. They all want to be free. "Dilan please believe me. I'm sorry for hurting you but it really was all real. I love the squad. I loved being a part of the family... I was just..." She trailed off, getting emotional.
"Scared. You were scared." Dilan finished for her, monotoned. Stacy sniffed and nodded. There was silence and Hanji looked to Dilan. Dilan looked to Levi, brushing some hair out of his face while she thought.
Levi was going to die without it. If the antidote works, he lives. If it makes him worse and causes him more pain... Dilan would just have to kill him while he was still passed out. She would have to rip out her heart to do it, but she would bear the pain for Levi. She could make it painless for him. He deserved a painless death, not torture.
"Give it to him." Dilan said softly, locking both her hands around one of his and holding it to her chest.
"Are you sure we can trust her?" Hanji asked. Dilan blinked out a tear, keeping her eyes on Levi.
"We have no choice. If it hurts him more, I'll deal with it." Dilan said quietly and Hanji's eyes widened a fraction.
"You get what your saying, right?" She asked carefully. Dilan nodded.
"He'd do the same for me. I'll bear it." Dilan promised. Hanji smiled sadly and nodded, getting out the ingredients and starting to arrange them. She grabbed a cloth and put in various herbs and other things, splashing some water before grounding them down into a watery paste. She poured it into an empty canister and added a splash more water to make it drinkable.
"He needs to drink it all. Are you sure about this?" Hanji asked seriously. Dilan nodded. "If this is the antidote, it won't necessarily take. There's a chance that too much internal damage has already been done and we need to prepare for that. Unless he fights, it's likely he won't make it." Hanji explained and Dilan bit her lip but nodded again anyway. "Help me get him up." Hanji ordered and Dilan moved behind Levi to help him upwards. Hanji leant his head back and opened his mouth, pouring the liquid down his throat. Thankfully since Levi was passed out, it went down without problems. When Hanji was sure it was empty, she put the bottle to the side and they helped him back down.
Dilan ignored everyone else and curled up beside him, taking his hand and leaning her head on his chest, listening to the pulsing of his heart. While it was still erratic, it calmed her nerves. He was still fighting; he was still living. She wouldn't give up hope. Not until his heart stopped. He had to survive. The future looked so unbelievably dark without him.
Hanji squeezed her shoulder for comfort, taking a seat in the corner of the cart, resting a bit. Dilan closed her eyes for a moment, feeling a tear roll down her face. She felt herself slipping, being drawn into the darkness by the drumming of Levi's heart that might be a hallucination, but it seemed to even out ever so slightly.
Get better. Don't leave me alone.
STACY'S P.O.V.
Stacy looked at the heart-breaking scene with teary eyes as Dilan held onto the Captain and eventually passed out. Stacy realised very quickly that was not a subordinate and a superior. That was simply Dilan and Levi. It shouldn't be surprising by now. 5 months together and you catch things. It was obvious as day now that she thought about it. The way she smiles and rolls her eyes at his stern punishments and cleaning habits. The way the Captain's eyes would soften every time she talked to him and when they'd banter back and forth, she sometimes caught a small smirk on his normally emotionless face.
They had to put on a show for the squad, but it was clear now that they were something more. The thought brought a new wave of guilt that Stacy didn't know if she could handle. She sniffed and wiped a few more tears of her face, not being able to tear her eyes away from the unconscious pair.
"They love each other." Stacy said softly, mostly to herself. Hanji sighed, not looking happy at her but she wasn't going to lash out like Dilan did.
"They really do." Hanji replied, looking upwards to stall the tears.
Stacy bit back a sob, not knowing if it was possible to hate herself more. How could she do this to them? She betrayed all of them. Even... even Gunther. What was he going to think? He was going to hate her like everyone else.
"Hey." Hanji said, cutting her out of her depressing thoughts. "What you did was fucked up, but you are trying to make up for it. I don't think your lying when you say you're sorry." Hanji said and Stacy nodded. "Well make up for it then. Stop thinking about what you did and start thinking about what you're going to do. How you're going to make up for this. What you're going to say to the ones you love, the ones you've hurt. There's a strong possibility Levi won't make it through. You better live for him otherwise there was no fucking point to any of this." Hanji said sternly. Stacy took a breath, remembering what Levi told her in the cave.
"I forgive you, kid." Levi mumbled, cracking his grey eyes open to look at her. Stacy stared at him in shock. "When the legion finds us... or you... explain what happened. E-explain you were forced." Levi swallowed, trying to keep the pain out of his voice. "T-tell them you meant no... ill will, you were simply desperate. You could be an exceptional soldier one day. I'm s-sure Erwin will understand."
"C-captain... what did I do?" Stacy asked shakily.
"You survived." He stated. "I d-don't blame you for wanting to. Make sure this... wasn't in vain though. If... my death means your life, do something meaningful with it." He said weakly.
It was at that very moment that Stacy knew she couldn't go through with it. He was a good person and he deserved to live. Many thought him intimidating, rude and harsh but Stacy could see through that after spending so much time around him. Yes, he punishes them harshly, but he only does it, so they recognise their mistakes. So, they don't fuck up on the field and get themselves killed. He wanted them to live. He just wanted them to live.
He was kinder than people gave him credit for too. He saw she was scared, and he tried to make conversation. Yes, he was bad at it, but he tried and that's what counts. What's more, forgave her. Most would be spiteful, scream, curse her out but Levi accepted her explanation, her apology and forgave her. He was an good person and he didn't deserve to go like this. Stacy vowed to herself she would make up for it, one way or another.
They rode in peace for a while and every so often, Hanji would check Levi's condition, eventually confirming that he was improving so the antidote was working. Stacy wouldn't express the amount of relief she felt. Hanji said if he kept up like this, he would make it.
Stacy noticed Levi's shaking had gone down too. Maybe he felt Dilan's presence there beside him. It was nice they had each other like this. They deserved each other. Stacy only wished they could continue living together in this hellish world, side by side.
"We should wake her up, I wanted to let her sleep for a bit but we'll be coming up to the main formation soon. She'll want to be awake." Hanji murmured, mostly to herself but Stacy nodded anyway. Hanji gently shook Dilan's shoulders, saying her name and Dilan cracked open an amber eye, lifting her head slightly from where it had been firmly on Levi's chest.
"How is he?" She asked immediately, nerves in her voice as she sat up to look at him. Hanji smiled reassuringly.
"He's doing well. If it keeps up, he'll make it." Hanji explained kindly and Dilan sighed a shaky breath of utter relief, blinking out a few tears. Hanji pulled her into a hug. "He's strong, Dil. He'll make it." She comforted. Dilan nodded, wiping her eyes.
"I know. That stubborn bastard would never die so easily." Dilan retort and Hanji laughed, voicing her agreements. Stacy hugged her legs to her chest, too afraid to move or say anything. She didn't want to face Dilan's wrath again. And yet, sometimes you don't get what you want. "Oi."
Dilan looked over at her with a blank face, completely void of emotion towards her. They used to be like sisters and now she was a stranger to the fiery eyed girl. Still, she ignored the painful fact and met her gaze with much effort.
"I'm still royally pissed off with you..." Dilan started and Stacy's lip quivered "But..." Dilan continued. "You did you your best to fix your fuck up. I certainly won't be forgiving you for a long time, at least not until Levi's fine, but I think he would." Dilan said, looking back at the man who was getting a bit of colour back to his face. "So, stop your pouting and be on look out." Dilan added in a stern tone. Stacy blinked, wiping her face and cracking a smile. It was a start. Maybe one day, she could earn her forgiveness.
"Yes, ma'am." She agreed. Dilan nodded in approval, turning to Hanji.
DILAN'S P.O.V.
"How long until we get to the main formation?" Dilan asked curiously, flicking her eyes back over to Levi. He looked healthier and he wasn't shaking as much. Dilan didn't know if she could be happier if she tried. He was fighting. That's all she could ask for.
"Not too long now. Be prepared though, I may or may not have abandoned orders to come here. We're in for some shit." Hanji admitted and Dilan laughed.
"How are we always getting into such trouble?" She smirked. The three certainly had been through some serious adventures over the years. Hanji smirked back.
"Guess we have a strange bond. We love pissing the commander off." Hanji shrugged and Dilan chuckled.
"Sounds about right. Don't worry about the commander though. I'll deal with him." Dilan said confidently and Hanji raised an amused eyebrow.
"Whatever you say, Dil." She chuckled, patting her on the shoulder as they rounded the corner and saw the formation in the distance. They were quick to catch up with the centre flank. Dilan scanned the land for the special ops, relieved to see them alive, still guarding the titan cage.
Erwin's eyes widened in anger when he saw them.
"HANJI ZOE! WHAT THE HELL-" Erwin started but Dilan cut him off, her anger bubbling over.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" She yelled, cutting him off and stunning everyone into silence. "Look, commander, fucking look at what your stupidity almost cost you." Dilan spat and Erwin blinked in shock, looking down and seeing the half dead Levi in the cart.
He was lost for words.
"We did our jobs, we protected our comrades because we actually care, unlike you. Fucking reptile. So, I say again. Shut the fuck up and be glad I'm not beating your ass for endangering the people I care about once again." Dilan hissed, fire in her eyes.
Again. The commander was speechless. There was a tense silence where everyone watched Dilan and Erwin stare at each other, or more like glaring on Dilan's end. Eventually he relented.
"Very well." He said simply, riding forward. Everyone was surprised, even Dilan. She should not have been able to get away talking to the commander like that, especially in front of his higher ups. She expected a little scolding. Maybe it would come later. Dilan didn't give a shit though. As long as Hanji didn't get yelled at and Levi was safe, she didn't care what happened to her. Hanji gave her a subtle smirk and Dilan rolled her eyes, sighing in relief and sitting back down.
As soon as she relaxed, hell decided it would be a good time to break loose again.
"TITAN HORDE, INCOMING! 7 O'CLOCK!" A soldier shouted and Dilan snapped her head in that direction, seeing they were about 5 different classes of titans coming for them, currently devouring the rear. Blood was left in their wake as they ran towards them, coming straight for the centre.
"Shit!" Dilan cursed and stood up, she whistled for a horse. She watched in horror as another squad tried to take them on and they lasted 5 minutes before they were all dead. "CALL OFF THE OTHER SQUADS, I CAN DEAL WITH THEM ALONE!" Dilan yelled at the commander over the wind as they picked up speed.
"No. We'll outrun them." Erwin said calmly and Dilan gave him an exasperated look as the screaming stopped and the titans ran at them again. From what Dilan could tell 3 were abnormals. They weren't going to make it.
"Someone get me a fucking horse!" Dilan hissed but Hanji pulled her down.
"Listen to orders, Dil." She said seriously. Dilan frowned in confusion.
"Hanji they are going to catch us! I need to protect-" She begged but Hanji cut her off.
"I know, I know you want to protect him, but Erwin knows what he's doing. Listen to orders. Follow the chain of command this time." Dilan hesitated, looking at Levi but she sighed in defeat.
"Fine." She agreed, settling down.
She flinched as another squad went to deal with the beasts and they were cut down too. Hanji held her hand for support and Dilan struggled to restrain herself through the screams. They were all... dying. Eventually they ran out of rear squads and they were still advancing on them.
"Now can I go. Please." She pleaded to Hanji, desperate to not let them touch the centre. She didn't give a fuck about Erwin or the higher ups. It just so happened Levi and Hanji were here. Hanji looked to Erwin and he took a moment but nodded. They were too fast. Someone had to put them down or hold them on long enough so the others could run away.
Erwin called out for a horse and Dilan spared a glance to her unconscious friend before jumping off the edge of the cart and onto her steed. She gave Hanji a smile goodbye before turning her horse around and riding fast towards the beasts.
She took a deep breath, figuring out her strategy. She'd go for the slow ones first, cut them down so their weak. They'll regenerate but it'll give her time to subdue the hyperactive ones before rounding back and defeating the last of them. She had dealt with more than 5 titans before, so she was sure she'd be fine. Besides, this was to protect Levi so she couldn't fail. Not when she just got him back.
Dilan got within grappling range and stood up on her steed, balancing and plugging her blades in. She waited for the exact right moment before shooting her gears and preparing to jump. She gasped as the distinct sound of a faulty gear rang through her ears and didn't have enough time to react before she was hit in the head with a titan's fist.
Fucking hell.
Dilan groaned as she fell of the horse, winded by the hard ground she blinked open her eyes, feeling the sticky substance of blood seep down the side of her face and dripping into her line of sight. She looked upwards at the terrifying image of 5 giant beasts looming over her, all reaching out.
Titan's didn't like to share. She would likely be ripped apart like a cracker. How fun.
"It's kind of... funny." She snickered, rolling over onto her back while she tried to get up. Her head injury knocked her straight down.
Fuck. Concussions fucking suck.
"I actually... want to live." She mumbled with a pout. She wanted to live; she really did. Ironic that the very moment she realised this; she was about to die. She tried her hooks again in a last desperate attempt, but nothing worked. It was too late. She was going to die here. At least the cart was going to be able to get away. And with that relaxing thought, Dilan closed her eyes and waited for the pain.
"HEY!" A familiar voice rang out and Dilan blinked open her eyes in time to watch with shock as Stacy jumped off of her horse and flung herself into battle with the titans, momentarily distracting them from Dilan.
"The fuck?!" Dilan mumbled. She heard another horse and she tried to find the sound, but her head was all over the place. Suddenly she was pulled up to her feet and hoisted over the side of a horse which was very uncomfortable, and she groaned as they galloped away. "Wait... Stace is..." Dilan tried but her head was all jumbled.
"Stacy is buying us time. What the hell happened?!" Hanji's worried voice entered her ears and she winced at the volume.
"Faulty gear... just my luck..." Dilan choked out, feeling the edges of her eyes start to darken as the head injury threatened to make her black out.
Dilan realised she must black out after that thought for a good few minutes as when she opened her eyes again, she was back on the cart being treated. She took a breath, remembering where she was before her eyes widened and she bolted straight up.
"Shit! Stacy!" Dilan turned her head, wincing as Hanji jabbed the wound with the needle at the sudden movement. It took a moment, but Dilan registered the scream far off in the distance. A clear scream of pain. The last she would ever make.
Dilan didn't have the courage to look, as her face and heart dropped, instead lying back down as the scream stopped and Hanji sighed, continuing so sew up Dilan's head wound.
"It wasn't your fault, Dilan." Hanji said sternly, knowing her well enough to know she would blame herself for this. Dilan closed her eyes and breathed out shakily.
"It was... but Stacy needed to do that for herself. She wanted to atone, and she did just that. I'll still feel regret but I'm proud of her and I forgive her." Dilan said weakly, a tear escaping her eye for her fallen friend. Stacy may have lied but the memories she had with her, memories of hard training and lazy nights in with Petra... those were real. She wouldn't forget them or let her hate for what Stacy did taint them. She died a hero in Dilan's eyes. She was sure Levi would feel the same.
"Get some sleep, baby. I think we'll be fine now. Stacy held them off for a while. She did well." Hanji said softly after she finished bandaging Dilan's head. Dilan nodded, feeling more tired than she had in her entire life. She closed her eyes and found Levi's hand before drifting off to sleep, hoping they would both make it back alive.
A/N: DRAMA! Who saw Stacy's betrayal coming? I left a few clues if you think back but I didn't want to make it too obvious. Who doesn't like surprises?! I'm pretty sure someone mentioned her edgy behaviour in the comments after the last chapter so well done. Spot on there. Stacy was definitely hiding something. Who would have though she was Kenny's daughter? That twisted mother fucker ordered her to kill her cousin! Of course neither of them knew they were related. Guess Stacy never will :(
I also wanted to point out that Dilan is starting to feel a bit differently. She doesn't realise it and it's confusing since she loved him as a friend first but it's obvious from the last two chapters her feelings for her best friend sure as hell ain't completely platonic. Don't get too excited though. We still got a long way to go!
Thanks for reading and commenting! Stay safe! X